Sand Roll, New Plymouth Racecourse (1912)

The sand roll is the only surviving portion of a stables complex constructed in 1912 for the Taranaki Jockey Club. The architect for the stables was Frank Messenger, who designed many buildings for the Taranaki Jockey Club - all are now demolished, except for the sand roll. The plans for the stables are held by Puke Ariki.

A permit for the construction of the stables was granted by the New Plymouth Borough Council on 26 October 1912, and the building had an estimated construction cost of £148.

Nestled into the side of a small bank, the sand roll is an octagonal building with wooden framing and clad in vertical rough sawn timber; The roof is corrugated iron. The exposed internal roof structure is a particular feature of the building. 

It is unclear if this is the original location of the building, although, a White's Aviation aerial photograph from 1949 shows the building in its current location. 

This is the oldest surviving structure associated with the New Plymouth Racecourse, and the only surviving structure from notable New Plymouth architect Frank Messenger's long association with the Taranaki Jockey Club.  

Related item:

TJC Sand Roll, Pukekura Raceway 1 Rogan Street New Plymouth, Draft Heritage Assessment (Hamish Crimp, 2019)